Tedd's theft of "intellectual property" certainly went across the 'red line', but as an AMCA magazine advertiser, he is 'untouchable'. Hell, his attorneys' sent me threats!

Although I get "screwed" occasionally, its my own fault if I trust a poor supplier.
As far as customers, I have the very best on the planet. But unfortunately, there is not enough of my time to go around...

If you really have time on your hands, there are plenty of Schebler parts that the "top percentile" would appreciate (I still believe in "trickle down"), since ebay offerings are most often guapo! (The GX chokeshaft, disc, and tab that I just received from Sweden was so crude that I won't even 'feedback' on ebay. Almost sorry I registered over the Holidays....)

Cotten,
Guapo means handsome or "good looking", not what you were trying to say I would surmise...

Ryan,
I call BS on your rant. There are lots of good deals out there and it isn't the realm of old rich guys. I've never made more than a low income living all my life (my choice) and find plenty of old junk to keep me occupied. If you can't find it, you aren't really looking or don't know what you are looking at. And I find the biggest increase in prices has been caused by the young guys into the fad bobber scene who have driven the price of 45s and BT flatheads and Knuckles through the roof, not the rich guys. Prices are all about supply and demand, not income level. High end collectors are not looking for projects....

Cotten,
Guapo means handsome or "good looking", not what you were trying to say I would surmise...

Well damn the spell-checker...

G-u-a-no?

And no matter what, Ryan's dismay is widely felt.
There was a time (*sigh*) when motorcycles were embraced by those who couldn't afford more.
Times change, and if the rich wish to support those who still have obsolete and endangered skills, let it be.

Sadly, I cannot even begin to supply the most critical demand by myself.

Cotten,
Guapo means handsome or "good looking", not what you were trying to say I would surmise...

Ryan,
I call BS on your rant. There are lots of good deals out there and it isn't the realm of old rich guys. I've never made more than a low income living all my life (my choice) and find plenty of old junk to keep me occupied. If you can't find it, you aren't really looking or don't know what you are looking at. And I find the biggest increase in prices has been caused by the young guys into the fad bobber scene who have driven the price of 45s and BT flatheads and Knuckles through the roof, not the rich guys. Prices are all about supply and demand, not income level. High end collectors are not looking for projects....

Robbie,
The thing is, I do know what I am looking for and looking at. I am not talking about the high end collectors. I am talking about the window in with I came into this world, meaning the guys about ten years older than me were able to get the real deals and the prices were up big time before I was able to jump in. The so called deals I run across are bikes of used up parts being thrown together and trying to be sold as barn fresh bikes.
I do not know what type of projects you run onto, but my lack of is not from the lack of looking, but maybe what I am looking for. For instance one of my bikes I have is a Frankenstein bike that is a 1965 with a 38 knuckle and 38 tranny and 38 wheels that has 1954 panheads on it. I have everything to put the 65 together, but an engine that I cannot find. So then I am left with the 38 parts that needs everything. I may as well put aftermarket barrels and heads on it as well as an aftermarket frame and front end. Point being, that I would have well over 20 grand completing both bikes. I do not think these prices are caused by the young guys. I do not see very many young guys selling at the meets.
As far as a chief goes, 20 grand for a possible runner that needs another ten grand put in it. Again, please help me understand what kind of pieces you are working with? I just noticed that the prices went through the roof again when people started cashing in 401ks.

Sorry to hear people messed it up for us cotton who would gladly pay up front even if it's over what it actually takes as I have a original Linkert I needed serviced by you after hearing from all the great post especially from Robbie who's word I trust ...I would not feel comfortable sending it to someone I know nothing about...

Money up front would only rob me of what little sleep I get.
Its not about getting good work in, its about getting good work out.

I finally finished up a half-dozen GXs that came in as pure fossils, and it took three years. (I hope the owner is still alive....)
Skilled TIGmeisters have become as scarce as honest politicians around here, and they don't want to do the sculpting. Everything comes down to more art than science.
One major problem with the GXs and potmetal DLXs is that the HS needles never aim at the seat, as per http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/bbo...ghspeed+needle
I now make internal needle guides from PEEK to remedy this issue, but they are tedious to cut and index. It turns out that they cannot be machined concentric, but intentionally skewed, and only several tries can get it close enough.

I would have priced myself out of the market long ago, if it were not for very serious customers with serious resources.

....Cotten
PS: Registering for ebay over the Holidays has been downright tragic.
It can only get worse if I sell...